The next few months were peaceful and relaxing for Lev. They were also very boring. Every day, he woke up with the other kids and went to The Park for physical exercises. At noon, he would move on to a simulation room booked for him by Sir Alec. For two hours, he would test his barriers against increasingly high-level dummies while trying to improve his formation and manipulation. None of his class skills leveled up, but he didn’t care. Combat class skills were painfully slow to level outside of monster combat.
In the afternoons, Lev would move to the group’s favorite spot by the river and practice incorporating barriers in physical combat. Even if he had no plans for engaging in close combat, one had to be prepared for everything outside the walls. Starting from trying to create a melee weapon, he found that forming a sword-shaped barrier was simple enough. Though it was laborious, the barrier weapon was sustainable. That didn’t mean it was usable. The short sword was far too light. Making it fit his grip perfectly and balancing its center of gravity while keeping it light proved impossible.
Giving up on creating a weapon without proper knowledge of its formation, he moved on to including barriers during movement. At first, the whole idea was horribly inefficient, resulting in a headache after just a few minutes of light practice. Slowly, he learned to be lighter on his feet and started introducing barriers to step on while running. Every step on a barrier was taxing on his mind but gradually got easier. Where he risked a headache after five minutes of practice before, after two months, he could keep going for half an hour. The increase in attributes and accumulating familiarity made his footing more stable and let him balance on top of his barriers more easily. The skills also helped greatly despite being level 1. Interestingly enough, moving barriers where he needed to step next was almost instinctual, like he was greatly accustomed to it. Again, no doubt aided by the skill. A 100% increase was nothing to scoff at.
Two and a half months after he obtained his class, Jack and Amelia started their apprenticeships. Not wanting to be left behind, Kayla also applied for her apprenticeship early and was approved. Jack was trained by a group of vetted adventurers who were currently on break. From what Lev was told, Jack would be taken outside the city to train against monsters under their watchful eyes. On the other hand, Amelia was taken in by a master swordswoman. Since her class of choice was supposed to be centered around swordsmanship, the hybrid aspect was also covered by the physical fighter. High-level melee fighters often used artifacts and weapons similar to hybrid class skills.
Kayla’s apprenticeship was similar to Lev’s. Taken in by an artificer from the Healing and Protection branch of the Crafting Guild, she would focus on mending simulated injuries and observe artifacts and entire fields that buffed everyone in them to replicate the effect. Her preferred class would show up after she became slightly proficient in both.
Four months into the training, Lev and his group stood on top of Whitefall’s 30-meter-tall walls. Facing southeast, the edges of an endlessly sprawling forest were visible on the horizon. They waited patiently for something to happen. Looking around, several dozen other kids around their age were standing on the wall, facing southeast. Most of them had someone older, like Director Oriana, accompanying them. Unable to hold back his curiosity, Jack finally asked the question on everyone’s mind.
“What are we waiting for?”
Oriana looked at the impatient group with amusement in her eyes and said nothing while maintaining her smile.
I know for a fact that she is far older than us, meaning this little bit of delay probably doesn’t bother her at all. What level is she? That reminds me, I still don't have the Identify skill.
Focusing on Oriana with the intention of seeing her level, a ding went off in his mind.
[
You have obtained General Skill - Identify:
Identify - Active
Focus on a target to glean basic information about them. This skill does not level up.
]
Thank you, almighty System.
Looking at Oriana, he used identify.
[Mage - ???]
“Huh, what do the question marks mean?” Lev asked upon seeing the result of Identify.
“Did you only now get the skill?” She asked in exasperation. Lev squirmed under her gaze and muttered how he had forgotten about it. “Everyone who has a class gets a single question mark, with another added after every evolution.” Oriana clarified.
“Which brings me to the next question. Are evolution thresholds fixed?”
“Yeah, they are the exact same for humans and monsters. The first evolution always happens at 100. The next two are at 250 and 500, with nobody alive having killed anything with an evolution higher than that. It can only be 750 or 1000. Nobody is strong enough to kill something that strong and get a notification confirming it. Also, you can only see the level of a being at your stage of evolution or below.”
Lev nodded and returned to his musings about longevity at higher levels. Not long after that, an incredibly loud chime went through the city. It was loud enough to be clearly audible on the walls despite originating from the city center.
Oriana faced his group when the sound passed and adopted a serious tone, “Now is a good time as any. Remember this, kids. There’s a similar bell in every city currently present on the plains. It signifies an approaching monster wave. Every able-bodied Adventurer and Hunter is required to take their specified positions surrounding the city. The number of times the bell is sounded corresponds with the size and danger of the wave, with ten being the maximum. For anything between six and eight, a request for reinforcements is sent before the city is locked down with all defense measures deployed. Evacuation protocols are deployed if nine or ten chimes go off.”
Shifting her attention towards the horizon, she continued. “Normally, a wave this small and harmless would be dealt with by a single high-level combatant. For the sake of demonstration, it is allowed to approach the walls so the apprentices and heirs can get a good look. In the end, a small number of weaker monsters will be kept alive for those brave enough to try and face them. Under scrutiny, of course.”
Getting a questioning look from Oriana, he nodded his assent and prepared for what was to come. Five minutes later, figures started to show in the distance. The wave was over halfway between the wall and the forest, rushing towards it with reckless abandon. Not long after, Lev finally got his first good look at the monsters.
Goblins and Hobgoblins. Around 150 monsters, give or take.
“Notice how there is no cohesion in the wave. The lack of a shaman is also a clue. This group was most likely almost completely eradicated by a stronger predator and forced to move out of the forest, resulting in one final charge towards the walls. The lower mana density also makes them more ferocious.” Oriana’s voice resounded from his side, explaining the origins of the wave
When the monsters were only a hundred meters away, a group of five Hunters in various states of armor moved to intercept them. As Lev watched, the archer fired a single arrow toward the right side of the wave that created copies of itself in the air. First, it became two, then four before turning into two dozen arrows. Lev had difficulty perceiving them despite the archer holding back. None of the arrows missed their target. Literally. As far as Lev was able to see, every single projectile found a target. They went through flesh and bone alike without slowing down and hit the ground far behind the wave, where they dissipated. The original arrow also teleported back to the archer’s quiver.
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Not to be outdone, the mage formed three blue fireballs before launching them at the left side of the wave. The first fireball landed among the frontline, somehow exploding only towards the monsters. The second fireball did not land on the ground but instead exploded within the first fireball’s explosion. The explosion once again expanded in the direction of the approaching wave like a blanket of fire. The third followed the same pattern. Within moments, 80% of the wave was completely decimated. Out of the remaining goblins, two were kept alive for each approaching apprentice, whereas the rest were disposed of.
While Lev and seven other kids made their way towards the carnage with their supervisors in tow, the surviving 16 goblins were lured away from the bloodbath and held off by the combatants. Lev noted that despite witnessing the massacre, the goblins showed no signs of fear and attacked thoughtlessly.
“Alright, listen up! Dale will throw two goblins away from here. One by one, each of you will face them. Don't worry about your own safety. Focus on taking down the monsters to the best of your abilities. Oriana’s boy, you come up first.” The archer said and motioned towards Lev.
“You know Oriana?” Lev asked curiously.
“Not many do. We were only told about her when we inquired the guild master about it.” Looking towards Oriana for permission, she continued after getting a nod in response. “She is one of the survivors from the refugee ship that came to Monarch.” Lev almost stumbled when he heard that. Looking towards Oriana, she just smiled gently.
I have to slip in a hug later.
Taking his position where the archer directed him, Lev waited for his adversaries. When Dale got the signal, he blurred in place. Before Lev could even think about it, two goblins fell 30 meters away from him.
Forming two half-a-meter-wide circular barriers, he tried to calm his wildly beating heart to no avail. A second before the first goblin started to dash towards him, the world slowed ever so slightly. The difference was only noticeable because Lev was so focused.
That would be my perception increase. Mentally preparing myself activates the passive, convenient.
The somewhat fast goblins now seemed marginally more manageable. Lev started to spin his barriers and waited for the monster to enter his manipulation range, now nearly 17 meters. Focusing on a single barrier, he launched it toward the goblin that predictably raised its rusty dagger to deflect it. Lev paid close attention to its movement, twisting the barrier in mid-air so it was parallel to the dagger’s trajectory and going past it without ever making contact. Before the goblin could even understand what happened, its face was split in two.
Suppressing a gag at the disgusting scene, Lev prepared himself for the second goblin wielding a short sword. Recalling the first barrier faster than the goblin could reach him, he sidestepped an opening diagonal slash. Jumping back to dodge another wild swing, he called forth a barrier and focused on the trajectory of the sword. Not forgetting to keep an eye on the limbs of the goblin, Lev watched the monster thrust the short sword toward his stomach. Positioning the barrier in front of him, the weapon left a white line on the surface of the barrier as it was redirected. Fixing the slight damage, he slammed the barrier on the goblin’s face. Before it could come to its senses, the second extremely sharp barrier cleaved through its neck.
For a few moments, Lev just stared at the corpses in case they showed any signs of movement. When nothing of the sort happened, he took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Looking around, he noticed the archer had an arrow nocked and ready to fire at a moment's notice. She nodded when Lev met her eyes.
“Good showing, kid. You should have no problem becoming a Hunter with that kind of drive.”
“I’m aiming to be an Adventurer, actually. Exploring Monarch has always been my motivation.” Lev replied with confidence once his heart calmed down.
“Even better then. By Monarch, we really need a safer area to live in.” She flashed him a smile and motioned for the next kid to come up. Lev walked next to Oriana and faced the next apprentice’s battle.
“Well done. Did you have to fight in close range?” Oriana praised.
“Since my life was never at risk, I had to try. Most of my skills are also great in the melee range. I wouldn’t have gotten another opportunity for a while.” Lev shrugged, more focused on the ongoing training session.
The next person in line was a girl with sharp eyes and above-average features. Forming two fireballs before the goblins were even thrown, she launched the first one sooner than the goblin could stand up. It struck the monster in the chest and exploded, hurling the smoldering goblin several meters away, where it lay motionless. As the second monster ran toward her without sparing a glance at its comrade’s plight, she channeled more mana into the remaining fireball. The spell visibly brightened, giving off enough heat for her hair to sway in the hot air. Hurling it when the goblin was only 15 meters away, the fireball slammed into it before exploding violently. The boom made all the kids, including the caster, cover their ears.
Lev looked at the remains of the monster and was surprised to find only its body parts scattered on the ground. The explosion had torn it into pieces. One after another, the remaining volunteers fought two goblins. Surprisingly, none of them had to be saved by the overseers. Returning to the wall after all the monsters were dead, Lev was showered in praise by his friends.
“That was pretty damn clean. I wish I had my class already to join you down there.” Jack expressed his yearning, looking at the spot where sixteen goblin corpses were lying.
“Thanks. My barrier held up against the sword better than I expected. Goes to show just how strong my class is already.”
“What level are you now?” Kayla spoke up, reminding him to look at his notifications.
[
You have slain [Goblin - Level 20].
You have slain [Goblin - Level 21].
Bladewalker has reached Level 2.
Bladewalker has reached Level 3.
…
Bladewalker has reached Level 6.
25 Free Attribute Points awarded.
]
The goblins were 20 levels higher than me?? That doesn't make sense.
Looking toward Oriana, who was silently observing the group, Lev asked, “Why were they so weak for their level?”
“What do you think?” she replied with her own question.
The group fell into thought, trying to come up with an explanation. Amelia responded first after only a few seconds. “It's because attributes only enhance what is already there, meaning they were way less effective on the goblins.”
“That’s correct. You guys will find out that the more well-built and cohesive the monster’s body is, the stronger it is compared to others of its level. If you really think about it, there are many species of monsters out there that are inherently superior to humans. They are cunning in their savagery, widening the gap between them and humans even further. But the world is not fair, never was.”
With that solemn note, they made their way back to the orphanage. On the way, Lev put 10 points into intelligence, five into perception and wisdom, three into dexterity, and one into strength and constitution. Lev stopped when he felt the changes in his body. It felt like a warm energy coursing through his veins, caressing both his body and core. He shook off the feeling before catching up with the others.
Let the training montage continue.